Recent Events

Member Extravaganza

The BNI Member Extravaganza is about to begin! What an exciting time for our chapters as they focus on inviting visitors, growing their network of contacts, and helping one another increase their referral business. The Extravaganza is an opportunity for at least one member from our region to win a 4 day, 3 night trip for two. This year, the winner(s) will enjoy a fun filled adventure in New Orleans, Louisiana! The winner(s) will meet other BNI members from around the nation and enjoy a morning workshop/ breakfast hosted by the Founder of BNI, Dr. Ivan Misner.

Each year all chapters of BNI of the Heartland have the opportunity to participate in a regional sponsored Visitor Day which coincides with the Member Extravaganza. There will be two single chapter events and one joint chapter event held at The Country Club of Lincoln, as well as four single chapter events and three joint chapter events held at Champions Run in Omaha. Each chapter has two event coordinators who have been trained to take their chapter through the 7 week process. Chapter members were also given the opportunity to attend a Momentum Training to help support their event coordinators through the process, as well as motivate their fellow chapter members to work together towards a great event.

The Member Extravaganza starts on March 29th and ends on May 28th. Let the fun, and referrals start flowing!

Team Retreat

BNI leaders spent almost 24 hours brainstorming, strategizing and setting goals for the Heartland Region October 8th and 9th at the Carol Joy Holling Camp near Ashland, NE. Those in attendance included Executive Director Vince Vigneri, Area Director Lori Botz, Assistant Directors Cheryl Hansen, Kristin Gzehoviak, Dee Glantz, Dodi Osburn, and Ambassadors Jason Sheehan, Mike Sheehan, Heather Legge, Sheri Potter, and Todd Speidell.

Looking back at the last two years of growth, it’s exciting to see the development of powerful marketing teams across the state of Nebraska and Western Iowa. Our region currently ranks 29th of 359 regions worldwide and 13th in the United States. Since 2007 we have added six new chapters with an average of 23.15 members per chapter. From January through September 2009, $7 million dollars of closed business has been documented. Congratulations to Executive Director Vince Vigneri on being named to the Founder’s Circle of BNI International!

The education of BNI members continues to be distinctive and the focus of many topics of discussion over the time the leaders spent together. Implementation of the Mentoring Program of new members is in process and by degree will continue toward excellence. Many thanks to Assistant Director Dee Glantz for her work in publishing our handbook and developing test chapters to trouble shoot this. Future topics include an advanced education series for members, goal setting with chapter leadership teams and maintaining vital chapters.

With the expansion and addition of chapters and members, increased communication is important and training on the updated website bniconnect.com will be offered in the coming months. Leadership Mindshares will be held bi-monthly in Lincoln and Omaha and will be facilitated by Directors and Ambassadors in the area.